Spiders Storm to 7-Shot Lead at VCU Shootout

RICHMOND, Va. -- The Richmond Spiders men's golf team started its 2021-22 season with one of the best rounds in program history Monday morning at the Tuckahoe Creek Course at the Country Club of Virginia. Monday afternoon, they did it again.

Richmond followed a team score of 276 (-12) in the first round of the VCU Shootout -- tied for the second-best score in Spider golf annals -- with a 282 (-6) in the second round -- matching the 15th-best round in program history. The Spiders will enter Tuesday's final round 18 strokes under par, seven strokes in front of second-place VCU in the 12-team field.

"I'm proud of our effort today," said coach Adam Decker. "We are trying to play a little more free and not focus so much on what everything means."

Senior Michael Childress, who shot rounds of 69 (-3) and 68 (-4) Monday and is tied for second in the field at 137 (-7), also credited a more relaxed approach for the team's performance. "I felt confident about all of our guys before the day started. For me I did a great job of enjoying myself and trying to remain pretty level headed all day."

Childress is tied with teammate junior Ben Cooper for second place in the 72-player field, two shots behind VCU's Charlie Kennedy. At 7-under par, Childress and Cooper matched the seventh-lowest 36-hole score in program history. They are the first Spiders to shoot 7-under or better over 36 holes since 2013.

Sophomore Garrett Clark is three shots behind Childress and Cooper at 4-under par following rounds of 69 and 71 Monday and is tied for seventh in the field. Senior Carter Cook is tied for 28th at 144 (E) and junior Lou Baker is tied for 56th at 151 (+7).

With Cooper (-4), Childress (-3), Clark (-3) and Cook (-2) providing the scoring, Richmond shot 12-under par in the first round and was six shots clear of second-place VCU through 18 holes. The Spiders 12-under round tied the second-lowest round in program history, matching the second round at the 2019 VCU Shootout, the first round at the 2017 A-10 Championship, and the second round at Skybrook in 2003.

In Round 2, Childress (-4), Cooper (-3), and Clark (-1) again scored in red figures as Richmond posted a team score of 282 (-6), tying their final round score at the 2016 Autotrader Collegiate for the 15th-best round in program history.

Despite the frenzy of birdies, Childress said he was oblivious to Richmond's record-setting scoring run. "I didn't check any leaderboard so I wasn't really aware of how the other guys were doing," said Childress. "I'm just excited to see the team play well collectively and happy to see this group's hard work starting to pay off."

A pair of Spiders made their collegiate debuts while playing as individuals Monday. Sophomore Alex Campbell shot 80-73/153 (+9) and is tied for 63rd. Freshman Patrick Isztwan shot 79-77/156 (+12) and is tied for 68th.

With 18 holes remaining, Richmond is seven strokes ahead of VCU. William & Mary is eight strokes back and James Madison is 10 back, the only other schools within 10 shots of the Spiders. UR will have a chance to win its first tournament since the 2017 A-10 Championship on Tuesday. Unsurprisingly, Decker wants the team to change as few things as possible from its remarkable performance Monday.

"We're just going to try and keep the same mentality tomorrow and see what happens," said Decker.

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Players Mentioned

Lou Baker

Alex Campbell

Michael Childress

Garrett Clark

Carter Cook

Ben Cooper

Patrick Isztwan

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